Rash of car thefts reported

Purses, wallets and cell phones were stolen from vehicles parked in Lewisburg Wednesday evening, according to reports on file at the Lewisburg Police Department.

On Dec. 9, between 6 and 7 p.m., at least eight vehicles were burglarized in Lewisburg, including the SUV belonging to LPD Lieutenant Rebekah Mitchell. The burglaries appear to be related and occurred in parking lots near the city center. In all cases, the passenger-side window of a late-model car or truck was broken to gain access to the interior of the vehicle. Locations at which the thefts occurred include

* London Funeral Home, 324 West Church Street (two);

* Parkview Baptist Church, 1380 West Ellington Parkway (two);

* the parking area on Water Street between the Water and Fire Departments (two);

* Mexico Lindo Restaurant, 1063 Nashville Highway;

* East Commerce Baptist Church, 560 East Commerce Street.

Several victims reported losing their eyeglasses, and some lost credit and debit cards, checkbooks, and social security cards. $3,000 cash was taken from one car, and smaller amounts of cash were missing from the others. The cost of replacing the vehicles' windows was estimated at $500 to $750 each.

Witnesses reported seeing the same vehicle at both East Commerce Baptist Church and the Water Street parking lot.

As of Monday morning, Police Chief Chuck Forbis said no arrests had been made, but his officers were pursuing several leads.

Police would like to remind the public not to leave valuable items in their vehicle. If items must be left inside a vehicle be sure the items are secured so as they cannot be seen and ensure the vehicle is locked. Leaving valuable items in an unattended vehicle is an open invitation to crime.

Detectives are asking for help from the public. People with information relating to these cases or other criminal activity are asked to contact the Lewisburg Police Criminal Investigation Division at 359-3800 or Crime Stoppers at 359-4867.